County Councilman Daryl Jones, D-District 1, isn?t much for words on the dais; instead, the first-year lawmaker said he focused on learning the legislative process and doing constituency work.
“I feel I need to become an expert first and get a handle on things in my district, as well as the county,” Jones said.
“It?s the only way to make smart decisions.”
He considers among his better achievements being getting a baseball field for people with disabilities and promoting an arts district in north county.
“It?s exciting to see people of all needs enjoy themselves,” he said.
“It?s something you can take pride in.”
During the summer, he traveled to Uganda with a church group and helped build a school in a war-torn area where children are forced to join the conflict.
The main piece of legislation he introduced was a resolution commending an agreement between the county school system and the county chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People in closing the achievement gap for black students, and requiring an annual report for the council.
“Educators play a major role in closing the gap, and I?m pleased to see advancement in that area,” he said.
Jones didn?t vote along with his Democratic colleagues on the storm-water bill that would have levied a tax on all property.
Jones, who represents a fiscally conservative district, campaigned against such a fee during his election.
“You have to consider the number of seniors living on fixed income, the rising cost of gas and food,” he said.
“It may be $30 in 2008, but what?s stopping it from being $60 in 2009?”
As another legislative year gets under way, the storm-water fee is one of many issues facing Jones and his district. He plans to develop a better relationship with Baltimore City and address the infant-mortality and pregnancy rates in his district.
But the growth in District 1, especially around Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, will be at the forefront.
“I want to take away the mystery and make things as transparent as possible,” Jones said.
“We also have to make sure that as we grow, we preserve the historical aspects of our communities.”
Opinions on Jones? year:
“We?ve worked well together, and he?s helped on quite a few things, including setting up a community crime meeting between the association and police officials.
“He?s learning in his first year, but he comes to quite a few meetings.”
? Ken Glendening, president of the Linthicum-Shipley Improvement Association
“He?s done a lot of things on and off the council.
“That?s the type of thing we like in our officials.
“He is consistent on what he ran on.
“He ran on a platform not to introduce any new taxes, and his vote on the storm-water bill shows he keeps his word.”
? Kory Blake, chairman of the Anne Arundel County Democratic Central Committee
“He?s done very well in representing the community.
“He?s been visible at the chamber and is accessible to businesspeople.
“He seems to have a pulse on the business community.”
? Fran Schmidt, executive director of the Northern Anne Arundel County Chamber of Commerce
Fast facts on Jones
» Age: 43
» Residence: Severn
» Day job: Lawyer/tavern owner
» Party: Democratic
» Elected: 2006 (first term)
» District: 1, Severn, Linthicum, Ferndale, Brooklyn Park and Hanover
» E-mail: [email protected]
» Bills and resolutions sponsored: Three
» Bills and resolutions that passed: Three
» Legislation of note: Resolution recognizing agreement between the county school system and the county chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People on closing the achievement gap for black students
What do you think of Jones? performance? E-mail your thoughts to [email protected].
